Monthly Archives - December 2016

The 2016 NFL regular season ends with a NFC North crown deciding tilt when the Green Bay Packers face the Detroit Lions. Both are tied atop the NFC North with 9-6 records. The loser will need Washington to lose to the New York Giants earlier in the day to claim a wild-card berth.

Green Bay has all the momentum, carrying a five-game winning streak into the season finale.

Why Bet The Green Bay Packers To Beat The Lions

The Green Bay Packers enter this game on a five game winning streak after beating the Minnesota Vikings 38-25 last week. They are 9-6 SU and 7-7-1 ATS this season. They average 26.7 points per game (6th) and allow 24.3 points per game (22nd).

The Packers average 260.3 passing yards per game (8th). Aaron Rodgers (4128 yards, 36 TDs & 7 INTs) has been flawless over the last six games, throwing 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Aaron Rodgers’ last throw at Ford Field was one for the ages. His 61-yard, Hail Mary touchdown pass to Richard Rodgers on the final play shocked the Detroit Lions and gave the Green Bay Packers a 27-23 victory last season.

If the Lions can’t stop Rodgers and the Packers from completing a magical late-season run on Sunday night, they might not have a prayer of making the playoffs. By the same token, if Rodgers cools off, Green Bay could see its season come to an abrupt end.

Rodgers asserted the Packers could run the table when they were 4-6 and he’s one big victory from backing up that claim.

"We feel our season is just getting started," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "We understand what we needed to do to get to this point. This is about beating the Lions and beating them in that dome."

WR Jordy Nelson (91 rec, 1191 yards, 14 TDs) leads the NFL in receiving touchdowns this season at 14. WR Davante Adams (69 rec, 966 yards, 10 TDs) has recorded four touchdown receptions in the last five games. Green Bay averages 103.2 rushing yards per game (20th). RB/WR Ty Montgomery (69 car, 413 yards, 3 TDs) has recorded his three touchdowns in the last three games.

Green Bay has the 20th-ranked total defense in the NFL. They allow 265.0 passing yards per game (29th) and 95.9 rushing yards per game (9th). The Packers have recorded 38 sacks this season (5th). S Morgan Burnett has 90 tackles and LB Nick Perry has 10.0 sacks.

Why Bet The Detroit Lions To Beat The Packers

The Detroit Lions are 9-6 SU and 8-7 ATS after being dismantled by the Dallas Cowboys 42-21 on Monday Night Football. They average 21.3 points per game (21st) and allow 21.8 points per game (13th).

The Lions average 251.9 passing yards per game (14th). QB Matthew Stafford (3980 yards, 22 TDs & 9 INTs) has thrown for 1,879 passing yards (268.4 per game) with 13 TDs and three interceptions in the past seven divisional games.

"I don’t think so," Stafford said Wednesday when asked whether the finger was a problem. "You know, you look back at [the interceptions] and maybe the one in Chicago was a poor throw, behind him. For the most part, it’s been more [decision-making] or close [plays] here or there.

The Lions, whose last division title came in 1993, have won their last six home games, rallying in the fourth quarter each time. They have an NFL record eight fourth-quarter comeback victories this season.

A win over the team that has dominated the division and his team for many seasons could elevate Stafford to elite status among his peers.

Detroit has the 15th-ranked total defense in the NFL. They give up 245.0 passing yards per game (16th) and 103.2 rushing yards (17th). The Lions have recorded 25 sacks this season (29th). LB Tahir Whitehead has 125 tackles, and DT Kerry Hyder has 8.0 sacks.

If You Still Can’t Decide Who To Bet On:

Green Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

Detroit is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games

Detroit is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home

Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

Packers Vs Lions Expert ATS Pick

QB Aaron Rodgers is 12-3 against the Lions with 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He’s the nightmare the Detroit Lions can’t get out of their heads.

After winning their first game of the season last week, the Cleveland Browns will look to double their win total when they meet the AFC North champion Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. The Week 17 NFL Cleveland vs Pittsburgh betting spread favors the Steelers by 6-points. Kick-off is this Sunday, January 1st at 1:00 PM ET on CBS from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Why Bet The Cleveland Browns To Beat The Steelers

The Cleveland Browns are 1-14 SU and 3-12 ATS this season after beating the short-handed San Diego Chargers 20-17 last week. They average 16.0 points per game (31st) and allow 28.3 points per game (31st).

The Browns average 203.9 passing yards per game (28th). QB Robert Griffin III (654 yards, 0 TDs & 2 INTs) was cleared from concussion protocol and is expected to start Sunday. Could rookie WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. (70 rec, 913 yards, 4 TDs) be playing his last game for the Browns? If he hits the 1000-yard mark in this anemic offense, he will demand large bucks on the open market. Cleveland averages 98.7 rushing yards per game (24th). RB Isaiah Crowell (179 car, 800 yards, 7 TDs) ran for 54 yards and two touchdowns in the win against San Diego.

Cleveland has the 31st-ranked total defense in the NFL. They allow 25.0 passing yards per game (21st) and 147.6 rushing yards (31st). The Browns have recorded a league-low 22 sacks this season (32nd). LB Christian Kirksey has 136 tackles, and LB Emmanuel Ogbah has 5.5 sacks.

Why Bet The Pittsburgh Steelers To Beat The Browns

The Steelers won the AFC North division by beating the Baltimore Ravens 31-27 in a nail bitter last week. They improved to 10-5 SU and 9-6 ATS this season. They average 24.7 points per game (12th) and allow 20.2 points per game (9th).

“If I get the opportunity to deem those guys inactive, then I will,” Tomlin said.

Pittsburgh has the 9th-ranked total defense in the NFL. They allow 245.0 passing yards per game (15th) and 91.3 rushing yards per game (6th). The Steelers have recorded 34 sacks this season (12th). LB Lawrence Timmons has 108 tackles, and DE Stephon Tuitt has 4.0 sacks.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers while wildly talented have played a lot of ugly football this season. The Panthers have underachieved all season. The Bucs have improved, but can’t get over the hump.

Tampa Bay’s path to the playoffs is complicated and unlikely. Other than defeating the visiting Panthers on Sunday afternoon, the Buccaneers must rely on results of six other games in order to gain the second and final NFC wild card.

The Panthers, a season after reaching the Super Bowl, are going end the season in last place in the NFC South — though a victory on Sunday and a New Orleans loss to Atlanta would allow them to at least share that distinction.

Why Bet The Carolina Panthers To Beat The Buccaneers

The Carolina Panthers are 6-9 SU and 5-8-2 ATS this season after losing 33-16 to the Atlanta Falcons last week. They average 23.5 points per game (14th) and allow 25.7 points per game (27th).

The Panthers average 231.9 passing yards per game (21st). QB Cam Newton (3272 yards, 18 TDs & 11 INTs) had a bad day against Atlanta last week. He completed just 18 of 43 passes for 198 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. TE Greg Olsen (77 rec, 1051 yards, 3 TDs) became the first TE in NFL history to record three straight 1000-yard seasons. Carolina averages 112.4 rushing yards per game (12th). RB Jonathan Stewart (198 car, 759 yards, 8 TDs) averages 3.8 yards per carry.

Carolina has the 22nd-ranked total defense in the NFL. They allow 274.0 passing yards per game (32nd) and 90.2 rushing yards per game (4th). The Panthers lead the NFL with 44 sacks this season. LB Thomas Davis leads the team with 104 tackles, and DE Mario Addison has 8.5 sacks.

Why Bet The Tampa Bay Buccaneer To Beat The Panthers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost their last two games dropping to 8-7 SU and 9-6 ATS. They average 22.3 points per game (18th) and give up 23.5 points per game (17th). Along with a win this week, the Buccaneers need the Cowboys need to beat the Eagles, the Titans need to beat the Texans, the Colts to beat the Jaguars, the Niners need to upset the Seahawks, the Lions the Packers and last but not least, the NY Giants to tie Washington. Good luck with that.

The Buccaneers average 249.2 passing yards per game (15th). QB Jameis Winston (3888 yards, 27 TDs & 17 INTs) has thrown five interceptions and lost one fumble in the last two games. WR Mike Evans (91 rec, 1256 yards, 11 TDs) is having a career year in receiving yards. He’s one touchdown shy of his career record. Tampa Bay averages 100.3 rushing yards per game (22nd). RB Jacquizz Rodgers (112 car, 485 yards, 2 TDs) will be the number one tailback against the Panthers. RB Doug Martin (144 car, 421 yards, 3 TDs) has left the team to enter a drug rehab facility and has been suspended for four games by the league.

Tampa Bay has the 26th-ranked total defense in the NFL. They give up 254.0 passing yards per game (23rd) and 116.5 rushing yards per game (24th). The Bucs have recorded 35 sacks this season (11th). LB Kwon Alexander has 135 tackles and DT Gerald McCoy has 7.0 sacks.

If You Still Can’t Decide Who To Bet On:

Carolina is 4-7-2 ATS in its last 13 games

Carolina is 2-8-1 ATS in its last 11 games on the road

Carolina is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road

Tampa Bay is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games

Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

Tampa Bay is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Carolina

Tampa Bay is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Carolina

Panthers Vs Bucs ATS Pick

The Bucs have a ridiculously convoluted path to the post season. Basically every NFC team on the bubble has to lose and a there has to be a tie between New York and Washington …

… or Tampa Bay could make it easy on everyone and come up short against Carolina.